Method of cleaning oil-wells



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI SAMUEL I-IOON, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TOGEORGE C. BELLIS, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF CLEANING OIL-WELLS.

No Drawing.

To all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI SAMUEL HooN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Butler, county of Butler,and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inMethods of Cleaning 011- ells, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description.

This invention relates to a method of re moving the incrustation of wax,etc., from oil wells, to open the pores which have been clogged up bythis incrustation, as well as from the pumps in the well.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and efficientmethod wherebythisincrustation will readily and qulckly be dissolvedfrom the pores of the well, and which can be pumped from the well in afluid .state.

As is well known to those familiar with the art, a large number of oilwells after they have been pumped for sometime become clogged by theparafiin wax and other heavy matter in the oil, so that the flow of theoil to the well gradually diminishes.

I have discovered that this incrustation can readily be removed bypouring into the Well a solvent or cutting agent, together with an agentwhich when combined with thesolvent agent will simultaneously heat andagitate the solvent, which will not only cut the wax, but it will forcethe solvent into the pores of the well, to-thoroughly cleanse the same.

I am aware that it has been proposed to use an alkaline solvent,together with acids which were intended to heat upon the solvent andcause the same to loosen the wax.

In carrying out my invention I mix up an alkaline solution, pump as muchof the oil from the well as possible, then pour a suflicient quantity ofthis solution into the well, either on the outside or through the pumptubing or barrel, and during the pouring.

of water, and then follow up with suflicient oil to fill the shot hole.The action of these Specification of Letters Patent.

. tion therefrom.

combined materials will quickly cut the paralfin from the pores of thewell, and will also melt a great portion of the paraflin which will mixwith the oil so that it can be read- 11y pumped from the well, togetherwith the solution in a very short period after the material has beenpoured into the well.

The solvent which I prefer to use I make up of about the followingproportions:

5 gallons of water, 10 pounds of caustic soda; and About 1 pound ofsal-ammoniac.

I have successfully cleaned a large num-.

ber of wells with the above process, and materially increased the flowof all wells which I have cleaned, without injury to the pumps orvalves.

It will readily be understood by those familiar with the art that thamount of solutionrequired for cleansing the well is dependent upon thesize of the-well, and it Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

Application filed May 26, 1919/ Serial No. 299,896.

will also be appreciated that changes may be made in the specificproportions as well as the ingredients.

The advantages of my invention result from the provision of the methodof cleaning oil wells, whereby I am enabled to free i and dissolve theparaflin by means of a com bined solvent and an agent which acts tosimultaneously heat and agitate the solvent.

I claim: 1. The method of cleaning wells, comprising the steps ofpouring a crust-cutting solution into the well to be cleaned, togetherwith a gas producing agentfor simultaneously heating and agitating thematerial in the well. I l

2. The method of cleaning wells, comprising the steps' of pouring analkaline solution, together with an agent for sim'ultaneously heatingand agitating the material in the Well, which agent is such-that it Willnot counteract the action of the solution.

3. The method of cleaning Wells, comprising the steps of pouring asolution of Water and caustic soda into the Well, together With a gasproducing agent for simultaneously heating and agitating the solution inthe Well.

4:. The method of cleaning oil Wells, comprising the steps of pouring asolution of water caustic soda and sal-ammoniac into the Well, and alsocombining carbid therewith, to simultaneously heat and agitate thesolution in the Well.

5. The method of cleaning oil Wells, comprising the steps of pouringasolution made up of five gallons of Water, 10 pounds of caustic soda,and 1 pound of sal-ammoniac into the Well, together With approximately 2pounds of carbid With the above amount of material. v J

6. The method of cleaning Wells, comprising the steps of pouring asolution of Water and caustic soda into the Well, together with carbidfor simultaneously heating and agitating the solution Within the Well,substantially as described.

7. The method of cleaning Wells, comprising the steps "of pouring asolution of Water and caustic soda into the Well, together with an agentfor simultaneously heating and agitating the solution Within the Well,Which agent is such that it Will not counteract the action of saidsolution, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LEVI SAMUEL HOON.

